by atmara | Jan 23, 2012 | Art, Inspiration, Mandala Monday, Mandalas
“Mandala of Vajradhatu” by Anonymous Tibetan artist – scan of painting. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Author: Don Reid
Neo, in “The Matrix” movie, needed his brain to be plugged into a supercomputer, so he could learn martial arts in minutes, and Trinity in the nick of time, could fly a chopper so they could get away from the “agents”. Using encoded mandalas is the closest working model to this science fiction, that proves that old adage, there is nothing new under the sun.
Mandalas have been used as far back in time as we can remember. Most people today, when visiting ancient ruins, like pyramids, can see images, of geometric patterns and designs in the decoration, even in early Christian Churches. Or are they merely decoration?
The first time I ever seen a symbol like a mandala, it was a pentagram, and I was scared to death of it because of course it was in a horror movie and I was a small child at that time. It wasn’t until much later, that I learned in geometry, that Pythagoras, of the famous Pythagorean theorem, was also a numerologist. This numerology is all about the numbers and subtle meanings that had nothing to do with mathematical formulas, i.e. [a squared + b squared = c squared] and I did confuse me. Why wasn’t this taught as well? If his theorems worked, why wasn’t this other aspect of his contributions taught in High School math?
From Wickipedia
“In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred , and as an aid to meditation and trance induction. According to David Fontana, its symbolic nature can help one “to access progressively deeper levels of the unconscious, ultimately assisting the meditator to experience a mystical sense of oneness with the ultimate unity from which the cosmos in all its manifold forms arises.” The psychoanalyst Carl Jung saw the mandala as “a representation of the unconscious self,”[ and believed his paintings of mandalas enabled him to identify emotional disorders and work towards wholeness in personality.
In common use, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the Universe from the human perspective”
Take away all the esoteric stuff, and you still don’t have much you can use here. Most people are spiritual but not inclined to seek out the cosmos or metaphysics. However, something of value is here if we take the time to apply what could be a new beginning, and a transformation of human learning and understanding.
Do you remember that scene in “The Matrix” movie? when Neo learned martial arts in an instant… think about it… what would that application look like in real life?
Brain Mirror neurons, a recent discovery, are said to operate and/or fire signals through the brain.. whether the person is completing an activity or simply watching the activity. This has serious implications, to what we call learning and what is possible in regards to Matrix Style Learning (training).
Of course some variant of this is possible otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this article.
Four years ago, I was amazed at my own brain mirror neurons being trained a sequence of Chi Gung movements and instantly getting the benefit of that training.
This training would otherwise taken years of practice. Not only that, the use of Mandalas and sacred geometry was explained to me in a way I never heard before. Brain mirror neurons can actually understand like some type of computer Operating System (OS), sacred geometric shapes, images and patterns and by looking at these images… hmmm just like the ancient spiritual practicioners, suggested, esoteric or not, benefits can be derived.
Fast forward to Dec 16th, the day I launched the I Chi Power App on Itunes (www.i-chipower.com) I codesigned an app for Iphone that actually works with brain mirror neurons providing an instant benefit. I called this the I Chi Power App, because you the user get to experience what I had experienced over the years instantaneously in this App. Check out the You Tube demo to see first hand one of the benefits of this app and you might find yourself on a journey to unlocking your true potential.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/meditation-articles/the-science-and-secrets-of-mandalas-3981809.html
About the Author
Don Reid is an avid reader, sci fi junkie, and former teenage comic book junkie. Professionally he worked as a Stock Broker, and currently has spent the last few years, in small business venture capital. He has studied Chi Gung, Tai Chi and several disciplines in the martial arts. Currently a student of Shaolin ShSD based in San Francisco, he has been exposed to systems that have lead him to launch Quantum Visuals Unlimited Inc, to help unlock the human potential using these amazing training tools.
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by atmara | Jan 16, 2012 | Art, Mandala Monday, Mandalas, Sacred Geometry
What is a talisman?
The word “Talisman,” derived from the Greek verb “teleo,” means, primarily, to accomplish, or bring into effect. The Talisman is an object marked with magic signs and is believed to confer on its bearer supernatural powers or protection. Virtually every religion in human history has offered as adherents small decorative objects which purpose is to do anything ranging between healing, protection or success.
Talismans and sacred geometry
Very often the talismans symbols are taken out of sacred geometry. The term “sacred geometry” is used by archaeologists, anthropologists, and geometricians to encompass the religious, philosophical and spiritual beliefs that have sprung up around. It is a term covering Pythagorean geometry and neo-Platonic geometry. Sacred geometry is often referred to as a language of G-d. Sacred geometry symbols are a means of bringing subtle, inner realities to a focus in outward expression. Within the fundamental unity of consciousness, certain symbols, such as the lotus lifting itself in purity above the muddy water, possess universal relevance and power.
Ancient Egyptian Talismans Scarab beetle
The young scarab beetles emerged spontaneously from the burrow they were born in. Therefore they were worshipped as “Khepera”, which means “the one who came forth”. The scarab-beetle god Khepera was believed to push the setting sun along the sky in the same manner as the beetle with his ball of dung. In many artifacts, the scarab is depicted pushing the sun along its course in the sky.
Ankh
The Ankh is a symbolic representation of both Physical and Eternal life. It is known as the original cross, which is a powerful symbol that was first created in Ancient Egypt. Ankh is typically associated with material things such as water, air, sun, as well as with the Gods, who are frequently pictured carrying an Ankh.
Heart
In Egyptian history, the heart replaced the heart which was removed during mummification. Sometimes assimilated to the Bennu, “Soul of Râ”, it brings the protection of both Osiris and Râ.
Other Egyptian talismans Buckle or Knot of Isis, Djed, Ba, Two Fingers and Udjat or Eye of Horus.
Christian Talismans
The cross: The cross of Christianity was a symbol of the faith. It was previously considered a pagan symbol, with several early church fathers objecting to its use. The cross represents Christ’s victory over death and sin, since it is believed that through His death he conquered death itself.
Fish: The fish’s first known use as a Christian religious symbol was sometime within the first three centuries AD. Christians began using the Greek word for “fish” as an acronym for “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior”. Followers of Christianity were called Pisciculi; the root of this Latin word is “fish”.
Jewish and Kabbalah Talismans
Star of David: The name David in ancient Hebrew (during the time of King David) is made up of three letters “Dalet”, “Vav” and “Dalet”. The letter Dalet in ancient Hebrew is actually a triangle. King David used the six pointed star as his signature (the two triangles of his name). The middle letter “Vav” means six – The six pointed star. The six-points symbolize that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. King David used this symbol in the battlefield on his shield as an omen from God.
Hamsa: The Hamsa is known as the hand of Miriam or Hamesh hand. The Hamsa serves as an ancient talismanic way of averting the evil eye and providing a “protecting hand” or “Hand of God”. The Hamsa often appears in stylized form, as a hand with three fingers raised, and sometimes with two thumbs arranged symmetrically.
Five metals ring: According to the ancient kabalistic text, the secret of the five metals ring success is that at the specific time of the creation of the ring with these five metals, Jupiter’s influence is summoned forth. Jupiter is the star of development and expansion, and success is at it’s strongest at the specific time of the ring’s creation. The layer on the top of the five metals ring is pure gold. Below it there is a layer of lead and tin, and the last layer is copper, while the ring itself is made out of silver.
Tree of life: The Tree of Life is one of the most familiar of the Sacred Geometry Symbols. The structure of the Tree of Life is connected to the sacred teachings of the Jewish Kabbalah. The Tree of Life is explained in Sefer Yetzira (“Book of Creation”). The book explains the creation as a process involving the 10 divine numbers (sefirot) of God the Creator and the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The 10 sefirot together with the 22 letters constitute the “32 paths of secret wisdom”.
Buddhist Talismans
Buddha: Buddha images provide a reassuring reminder of the basic tenets of Buddhist religion. Just as Buddhist religion is practiced in many different ways, the Buddhist image also serves a wide variety of ritual purposes and has different meanings for different people. Buddha can be invested with a huge amount of information, meaning and implication; they evolve and they are given life. The Buddha image cast in the human form gives it a value presented as calm, still and serene.
Mandalas: The Tibetans create their beautiful Mandalas from colored sand and if you’ll take a metal plate and cover it with sand and make it vibrate with different sounds, you will be able to see different structures that are formed in the sand, that are very similar to the sand Mandalas. In the end, after a few weeks when the Mandalas is finished, they simply wipe the sand off Mandalas to show the non-attachment to the illusion of the external, and also to show the constant change and the process of life and death that takes place in the external world of illusion.
OM: Om (?) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, first coming to light in the Vedic Tradition. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the “Udgitha” or “pranava mantra”. The symbol of Om contains three curves, one semicircle and a dot. The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state; the upper curve denotes deep sleep (or the unconscious) state, and the lower curve (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state.
Tibetan Knot: The Tibetan knot (Srivatsa or the endless knot) is one of the eight symbols of the Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan knot can stand for karmic consequences: pull here, something happens over there. It is an apt symbol for the Vajrayana methods: Often when we tug at one part of a knot while trying to loosen it, another part becomes tighter. You have to work with the knot to enable it to come undone. In its endless configuration, it evokes the cyclic nature of rebirth and also calls karmic connections to mind.
David related work – Talismans jewelry
Article source – Talismans
Written by David Weitzman – Ka Gold Jewelry artist
Images from Ka Gold Jewelry
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by atmara | Jan 9, 2012 | Art, Healing, Mandala Monday, Mandalas
The MARI (Mandala Assessment Research Instrument) is the most comprehensive psychological assessment available today. It is an integrative approach based on the concepts of C.G. Jung, Mandalas, archetypes and evolutionary biology and psychology.
MARI Creative Resources provides teaching and training programs that encourage wellness in mental health based on the MARI psychological assessment. The goal is to provide a quality training program and excellent service in the administration of teacher training and certification. MARI also promotes creativity and innovation within the organization, particularly in areas that promote practitioner satisfaction and continuing education, by providing products and services at a reasonable cost.
The Mandala Assessment Research Instrument is rooted the research and systematic study of thousands of client-drawn mandalas. This research was implemented and conducted by art therapist Joan Kellogg in the 1970’s. The MARI as we know it now first took form in Joan’s Master’s thesis in the 1980’s. Since its invention, the MARI has been continually researched, modified and enhanced for over roughly twenty years with input by the many different therapists who use the MARI with clients. The MARI, as it exists today, will continue to disclose itself and evolve over time. The MARI is a comprehensive system that uses symbols, known as mandalas, to reveal the inner truth and reality of the subject as it is -not what the ego filters of consciousness would want it to be- but how it really is. Carl Jung, world renowned psychiatrist, recognized the mandala as “the centre of personality, a kind of central point within the psyche, to which everything is related, by which everything is arranged and which is, itself, a source of energy.” Jung’s description of the mandala is also an excellent description of the MARI. In addition to symbols, the MARI® is comprised of colors and stages of development. The relationship of these variables creates a visual ‘snapshot’ of the self as experienced in the present moment. This visual relationship is best understood by addressing each variable separately.
For more information, visit the website at www.maricreativeresources.com
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